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I. GREGG. Drying Apparatus.

Patented July 9, 1867.

N- FEIERS. PKOTO-LITMOGMPHEE WASHANGTON. D C.

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ISAAC GREGG, 0 F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

- Letters Patent No. 66,487, dated July 9, 1867.

IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR HEATING CLAY.

'10 ALL WHOM ITDMA'Y CONCERN:

Be it known that I, ISAAC GREGG, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Apparatus for Heating Clay, 850.; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists of an apparatus constructed and operating substantially as described hereafter, whereby clay and other materials may be quickly and economically heated to any required temperature.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

On reference to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved apparatus for heating clay and other materials.

Figure 2, a section on the line 1-2, fig. 1'; and 1 Figure 3, a detached sectional view of part of the apparatus.

A is a cylindrical case or vessel, which is supported by legs a a, is closed at the opposite ends, and is divided longitudinally into two equal semi-cylindrical sections 6 b, as shown in fig. 2. The sides of each section of the case are double, and enclose a chamber, X, and in the adjacent edges of the two sections are openings 2:, through which the chambers X X communicate with each other. Through flanges e e, at the sides andends of each section, pass bolts 0 c, by which the sections are secured together. Steam is admitted to the interior of the casing through a pipe, d, and to .the chambers-X X through a pipe, 6!, and at the lower side of the casing is a waste-water pipe, m, in which is a suitable cock. Through the centre of the case A, and through stuffing-boxes ff atthe ends of the case, passes a shaft, 0, a band-pulley, ft, on which receives a band from a pulley on an adjacent driving-shaft; and to the shaft 0, within the case, is secured a number of adjustable blades D D, each of the latter being fastened to the shaft at an angle to the same by a bolt, m, which :passes through the shaft, and through a projection, 2', on the blade, as shown in fig. 3. Each stufii ng-boxfand its follower g is divided longitudinally on a line with the division of the case, one-half of the box' being attached to each section of the caseyand one-half of each follower being secured by bolts n n to the adjacent half of the stufii'ng-box. At the upper side of the case, near one end of the same, is an opening, 3 and at the lower side, near the opposite end, is an opening, 3 and at the top of the case is a safetyvalve, I. A rotary motion in the direction of. its arrow is imparted to the shaft 0, and clay is introduced through the opening y into the case, when it will be thoroughly agitated and mixed by the action of the revolving blades D, the latter also carrying the clay slowly towards the opposite end of the casing, where it is discharged through the opening 3/; i

The combined. effect of the heat and steam is to render the clay soft, plastic, and somewhat elastic, so that less pressure is required to force it into the moulds, while the bricks or other articles made from the prepared clay are not only sharper at the edges, butare stronger and denser than those formed from clay which has been tempered in the ordinary manner. Owing to the preliminary heating of the clay, the bricks leave the moulds in a heated state, and are less liable to warp and crack when introduced into the drying-oven than they would bejf transferred to the even without such preliminary heating. The blades D may be adjusted, when their edges are worn away, by loosening the bolts m, inserting strips or washers 20 between the projections i and the shaft 0, and again tightening the bolts"; When it is desired to obtain access to the interior'of the casing, in order to adjust the blades D, or for any other p the casing isremoved, the stuiIing-boxesand followers parting readily, so that .the shaft 0 is not disturbed. The vessel A may consist of a thin metal casing, surrounded by a coil-of steam pipe; or steam-casings or steam coils may be inserted within the vessel; in either case the clay may be heated to and maintained for any length of time at the precise temperature required, which could not be efi'ected were the casing heated by the direct application of fire, as has hitherto been done, while the burning of the casing and much waste of fuel is prcvented.

The above-described apparatus may be effectively employed for heating other materials besides clay, and arms may be substituted for the blades D.

Without confining myself to the precise construction and arrangement of the parts herein described. I clain as my invention, and desire'to secure by Letters Patent urpose, the bolts c e are withdrawn, and the upper section b of 1. A easing or vessel, A, surrounded by or containing a steam-easing or coil, in combination tvith a shaft, 0, having blades or arms D D, the whole being constructed and operating substantially as described.

2. The combination of the above with a steam pipe communicating with the interior of the casing, for the purpose specified. v

3. A casing, A, consisting of two detachable sections 6 6, containing chambers X communicating with a steam-boiler, andadapted to each other, and enclosing a shaft having arms or blades secured to the same, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the above and the stuiIing-boxesf and followers g, constructed as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the preseneeof two subscribing witnesses.

ISAAC GREGG.

Witnesses:

CHAS. E. FOSTER, W. J. R. DELANY. 

